
Associate Director, Central Automation Engineering
Real job — pulled straight from Eli Lilly’s careers page · Verified September 1, 2026 · No reposts.
Job description
Eli Lilly is hiring a Associate Director, Central Automation Engineering — a full-time, based in Pleasant Prairie, WI role ($123k–$180k). Apply directly on Eli Lilly's careers page below.
Associate Director – Central Automation Engineering
Location: US, Pleasant Prairie WI
Time Type: Full time
Job Description
At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.
Position:
The Associate Director – Central Automation Engineering is responsible for the leadership of the Central Automation team supporting daily manufacturing operations at LKC (Lilly Kenosha County), spanning process automation systems, data historians, building management systems, and site infrastructure supporting parenteral filling and packaging lines. The Associate Director is responsible for the productivity and development of employees with the purpose of ensuring that reliable and compliant control applications and systems are used in the manufacturing of drug products at LKC. Additionally, the Associate Director partners to influence and implement within the process control organization and across functional disciplines to support the automation technical agenda, business plan priorities, and compliance objectives, while collaborating closely with Lilly's global automation and IT organizations.
Responsibilities:
Administrative Leadership
Supervise and lead the Central Automation team, including completing performance reviews and development plans
Staffing, including recruiting, resource planning, and succession planning
Manage the automation portfolio to deliver team milestones, projects, and lifecycle management commitments
Review and monitor financial performance; commit to meeting targets
Manage compliance for infrastructure supporting site automation needs, including data historians, PLCs, HMIs, DCS, and building management systems
Operational Excellence
Demonstrate a commitment to environmental, health, and safety
Identify, track, and report key indicators of functional performance
Ensure team is operating in a state of compliance
Collaborate with global automation teams and the parenteral network to ensure filling and packaging lines comply with the latest supported software from a cybersecurity and data integrity perspective
Own and ensure compliance for LKC automation cybersecurity and data integrity
Organizational Capability
In coordination with automation and compliance consultants, set and reinforce standards for appropriate rigor in automation work products
Assure focus by engineers and completion of critical assignments with appropriate monitoring and reporting
Influence the automation functional strategy across the LKC site
Support day-to-day engineering activities and plan for the 3–6 month horizon
Be a fully active member of site flow leadership, including participation on management sub-teams
Interact with regulatory agencies during site inspections as needed
Basic Requirements:
Minimum B.S. in Engineering or related technical field
Minimum 5 years of experience in automation/process control engineering, preferably in pharmaceutical or parenteral manufacturing
Previous supervisory experience or demonstrated technical leadership
Additional Preferences:
Experience with highly automated parenteral filling and packaging equipment (e.g., PFS platforms, vial/syringe/cartridge filling lines, device assembly and packaging lines)
Technical expertise in one or more automation platforms (e.g., Rockwell Automation, Emerson DeltaV, data historians)
Experience managing relationships with key vendors
CGMP regulatory knowledge in process or automation engineering
Established network across Lilly's global automation community
Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills
Strong coaching and people development skills
Other Information:
Location: Lilly Kenosha County (LKC), Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Standard business hours (days, M-F) with after-hour and shutdown support as needed
Minimal travel required
Tasks require entering manufacturing areas which require wearing appropriate PPE
Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.
Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (BE@Lilly), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).
Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is
$123,000 - $180,400Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.
#WeAreLilly
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Frequently asked questions
What is the salary for Associate Director, Central Automation Engineering at Eli Lilly?
The estimated salary range for Associate Director, Central Automation Engineering at Eli Lilly is $123,000 - $180,000 USD per year.
What skills are required for Associate Director, Central Automation Engineering at Eli Lilly?
The required skills for Associate Director, Central Automation Engineering at Eli Lilly include: PLC, Cybersecurity.
What is the seniority level for Associate Director, Central Automation Engineering at Eli Lilly?
Associate Director, Central Automation Engineering at Eli Lilly is a Manager level position.
How do I apply for Associate Director, Central Automation Engineering at Eli Lilly?
You can view the full description and apply for Associate Director, Central Automation Engineering at Eli Lilly on EchoJobs: https://echojobs.io/job/eli-lilly-associate-director-central-automation-engineering-hnpqw.


